I haven't been to Applebee's in quite a while, but I don't think they (or Olive Garden) deserves quite the bashing they receive here. Maybe some don't do the food as well as they could, but there are lots of people going there who seem to be satisfied. Maybe they aren't chefs and don't know any better like some here. This hasn't been my favorite thread!

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tyler florence does have a culinary background... he put in some time in NY kitchens going up the ranks and ultimately became head chef, he is also a graduate of johnson & wales where i attended and personally know professors who said he was an excellent student. where he lucked out is that while in New York, he became friends with none other than Bobby Flay and the rest is history... i never met him but several people i know have and they have all said he is the easy-going person that comes across on tv, a fun, laid-back youngster from South Carolina. it kinda sucks to see him go the applebees route but i guess every one has a price and i bet theyre paying him a nice chunk of change... hopefully, applebees is doing more than just running a marketing campaign and actually paying a little more attention to their kitchens and restaurants, and as evidenced by their reputation on this thread, for their sake!!!